BOSTON — The Massachusetts House Ethics Committee plans to open an investigation into Rep. Chris Flanagan, the Dennis Port Democrat charged with federal fraud, after his court proceedings wrap up, a key lawmaker said in a statement.

State Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, a Melrose Democrat who chairs the House Ethics Committee, said she will wait for Flanagan’s judicial affairs to “play out to avoid any possible disruption or obstruction to the ongoing criminal proceedings.”

“The committee will conduct an investigation into Rep. Flanagan at the conclusion of the judicial proceedings,” she said in the statement Monday.

Federal authorities arrested Flanagan last week on charges that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from a trade association he once worked for, covered up the thefts, and then used the money to pay personal bills and fund his campaign for elected office.

Flanagan pleaded not guilty to the accusations during a court appearance Friday.

His attorney, Greg Henning, said Flanagan was looking forward to “returning to go see his family” but did not say if the lawmaker would resign from his seat amid calls from some of the state’s top Democrats.

Henning said he had “nothing further at this point” when asked Monday whether Flanagan had decided to vacate his post.

A federal indictment released last week alleged Flanagan shuttled tens of thousands from a trade group he previously worked for into his bank account as he faced personal financial difficulty, including outstanding credit card debt, missed mortgage payments, and hundreds of dollars in bank overdraft fees.

In one January 2023 transfer, federal prosecutors alleged Flanagan stole $10,000 from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod to fund his first campaign for state representative.

Prosecutors also said Flanagan stole funds via direct debit transactions to pay for “personal psychic services” in July 2022.

The indictment said Flanagan concealed the stolen money from the trade association’s board by logging into their accounting and bookkeeping software using another employee’s credentials to enter backdated transactions and false codes for the withdrawals.

Flanagan won reelection in November with 56% of the vote after facing Republican challenger Gerald O’Connell in the general election and running unopposed in the Democratic primary, according to state data.

Elected officials, including lawmakers on Cape Cod and Gov. Maura Healey, have called for Flanagan’s resignation.

House Speaker Ron Mariano did not call for his resignation, instead saying the charges against Flanagan were “extraordinarily concerning and undermine public trust in the Legislature.”

“The House will continue to monitor the legal process as it plays out, and will take the appropriate steps if necessary to ensure accountability,” Mariano said in a statement last week.

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